HIGHLAND PARK, IL - IPA, 7.3% ABV

With all of the bad juju associated with the brewing space at 2925 W. Montrose in Chicago (formerly Breakroom, then Finch's), we had to temper our excitement when we heard the third attempt at a brewery was set to move in with Ravinia. That, plus the talk was that the brewery would concurrently be opening a brewpub in its native Highland Park, Illinois. All of those worries were laid to rest once we sampled the beers from the beautifully illustrated cans at BeerHoptacular–particularly this Steep RavineIPA. The Chinook hops provide a spicy piny-ness, which mellowed slightly by the addition of oatmeal flakes–all together making for a pleasantly creamy and balanced IPA. A really tasty 'throwback' IPA, in a sea of citrusy, juicier versions.

See the rest of the winners here along with the article on this year's Beer Hoptacular event!